Jicarilla Fishing Blog
January 23rd, 2024
Folks,
This isn't news to anyone who has been watching the weather but it is in the mid-forties here today with it expected to get to the low fifties over the weekend. It is sad to think this is the start of mud season. The region currently is in Extreme Drought according to the US Drought Monitor and the thought that winter might sputter out is a little hard to grasp in mid-January. Fingers crossed she will come back for a few more months of ice and snow.
The ice sheets are all very dynamic and as of this morning all sheets had inches of water on top of them and holes drilled over the weekend did not re-freeze overnight, insult to injury was the light rain that fell yesterday. As we did not have highly developed ice sheets this is cause for concern and great caution around the ice.
Stone Lake: 3.5" ice and 2" of water and slush on top of the sheet. Holes from the weekend did not re-freeze by Tuesday morning
Embom: 4.5" of ice 1" of slush and 1" of water on top of the sheet.
Mundo: 5.5" of ice and 1" of slush and water on the sheet, looks like areas of the lake are beginning to thaw. 45 degrees at the lake during inspection.
Prizes
After a busy holiday season, we were able to meet up with our lucky winners.
Submit reports and help others while entering yourself to win some sweet stuff!
Mr. Paul from Espanola, N.M.
Mr. Madden from Dulce, N.M.
January 17th, 2024
Folks,
It seems this is a good time to remind everyone that fishing is done at your own risk. Ice fishing is inherently dangerous and there is no such thing as "safe ice". There are countless resources online to teach good ice fishing practices, and sadly we see quite a few anglers each year ignore them. The Fish Crew recommends you carry self-rescue equipment and equipment to help others when on the ice. YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Currently, there is a lot of variation in the ice sheets. We have been checking conditions mid-afternoon.
Stone: Still some open water present which is kind of a clue. 4" ice near the south boat ramp 50 feet offshore. The East Ramp only has 2" weak edges. Lots of pressure ridges and high variation throughout the sheet.
Enbom: 3" of ice and 2" of slush on the ice near the dam.
Mundo: 4.5"of ice 3-4" of slush.
Allegedly there is rain and warmer temps in the future...Strange times.
On a side note the Department joined forces with the best brick-and-mortar tackle shop around, Los Pinos Fly & Tackle in the big metropolis of Albuquerque, and now have a lot of exciting prizes for future giveaways. Maybe we start with the best fishing report of the remainder of January is up for a $50 gift card. Been seeing quite a few videos online of Jicarilla fishing mislabeled as New Mexico public waters, cracks me up when people think they are going to keep the best fishing in the state a secret...
January 11th, 2024
Folks,
Shockingly not much to report. The snow we are getting today is great, but it is hiding a lot of bad ice and sketchy spots in newly formed sheets. This is only the second year in my ten-year tenure where we did not have 100% coverage the second week in January. Ice fishing isn't ready yet.
Embom: 2-4" of ice weak edge and pressure ridges before snowfall today
Stone: 95% covered, weak edge and pressure ridges visible before snowfall today
Mundo: 95% covered, edges large pressure ridges visible before snowfall today
The Department will be closed on Monday in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday the 16th. Look for an update then.
J.
January 8th, 2024
Folks,
The weather seems to be in flux, with 8 " of snow over the last two days and hopefully a few more storms on the way. We need it.
Today's afternoon ice check:
Stone 90% ice coverage less than 2" of ice and 2" of slush See the Photo below for conditions January 8th, 2024 1:30 this afternoon.
Embom 100% coverage 3" of ice and 2" of slush near the south side dam.
Mundo 90% coverage of less than 2" of ice See photo below for conditions January 8th, 2024 at 2:30 in the afternoon.
Happy New Year
Folks,
What a roller coaster of a "winter". Yesterday (1/3/24) There was open water at all three lakes. One angler was fishing from the dam on Mundo yesterday, one angler has been posting photos on the fishing boards of an excellent New Years open water catches at Embom. Pretty cool way to wrap up 2023.
Open water is quickly coming to and end Embom 95% covered, Stone 90% (only open water in the middle of the lake), Mundo 90% covered. The ice sheets are showing lots of signs of movement still but should be stabilizing as they close up.
Allegedly there is a cold blast coming in the next week so we will keep you updated on conditions as we get into next week.
J.
Ice Report 12/27
Folks,
Seems like the ice is going backwards... No ice sheets ready for fishing yet and warm day time temps...
Stone 90% covered
Embom 90% covered
Mundo 75% covered
We'll keep ya updated as the situation develops.
Happy New Year!
J.
Christmas 2023
Folks,
Merry Christmas from the Jicarilla Game & Fish Department! We will be updating the ice condition report mid week so check back for that.
Just a quick update-
Two individuals have been selected for the sit on top kayaks:
Paul M. a long time angler & Maddie V. a first time angler. Pretty neat if you ask us.
Their pictures are below:
December 18th, 2023
Folks,
Quite the strange "winter" we are having been basically t-shirt weather during the days. As of now there is no ice fishing yet. Mundo is 90% covered, Stone 70% covered and Embom is about 90% covered. A few more weeks or a good turn of cold weather. I sure would like another good water year.
We will keep you updated as the situation develops.
Hope everyone is getting in the holiday spirit! The Fish Crew is pretty much always on Santa's naughty list, ever since we hung our sinky waders up as a stocking a few years ago.
J.
December 5th, 2023
Good Afternoon Fish Fans,
A few updates. First we received a dozen or so fishing reports in the month of November and are currently reviewing each to determine who will be the lucky angler going home with a new sit on top kayak. If you happened to of submitted a report in November check back next week to see if you made the podium!
Despite the warmish weather there is 5-10 feet of ice around Mundo in the morning, Embom is completely covered, and Stone has 5 to 10 feet around the edes but it is highly mobile. Open water season isn't over per se but it's getting to be more of a gamble.
The gate to Mundo camping area has been closed for the season as has the gate to Embom. Both lakes are still open to fishing year round.
The Fish Crew will keep you updated on ice conditions as the sheets develop so be on the look out for updates.
